Preseason Power Rankings No. 32: Oakland Raiders

Posted by Mike Wilkening on July 7, 2014, 9:40 AM EDT

AP

In the best-case scenario, the 2014 Raiders prove engineered to win now.

In the worst-case scenario, they are a collection of yesterday’s news.

The Raiders shook up their roster in free agency, signing at least a half-dozen players who figure as starters. They traded for Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who comes off his worst season but helped lead Houston to a wild-card win in each of the previous two campaigns.

However, of those seven players, the 29-year-old Jones-Drew is the youngest — and he gained a mere 3.4 yards per carry a season ago. Schaub, Tuck, Penn, Rogers and Smith are all 30 or older, and Woodley turns 30 in November.

The Raiders had salary-cap space to use this offseason, and they did not lack for needs. And let there be no doubt: the Raiders’ depth chart is better for all that spending. But will it be enough for Oakland to close the gap on its AFC West rivals, all of whom made the postseason in 2013?

Strengths.

The Raiders’ rushing attack should be a strength, just like it was in 2013. Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden can share the workload in the backfield, and this might be the way to keep both fresh and effective for 16 games. Versatile fullback Marcel Reece can catch, rush and block.

The defensive front seven looks solid. New starting ends Woodley and Tuck are accomplished edge rushers, and Tuck can kick inside in passing situations, too. Smith provides a stout and disruptive presence at defensive tackle opposite of Pat Sims, the lone holdover starter along the line. Rookie Khalil Mack has the talent to be a difference-maker right off the bat at strong-side linebacker — and he adds a needed dose of youth to an older club, as does second-year weak-side linebacker Sio Moore. The Raiders might be as deep at linebacker as they are at any other position.

Keep an eye on the Raiders’ receiving corps. Ex-Packer James Jones is an ideal addition to this young group; tough, dependable and productive, he can be a tone-setter. And there’s a good deal of intriguing talent beyond Jones, with Rod Streater, Denarius Moore and Andre Holmes all having playmaking ability.

Weaknesses.

While the Raiders traded for Schaub and drafted a signal-caller in Round Two (Derek Carr), they might still be unsettled at quarterback. If Schaub’s 2013 struggles were no fluke, and if Carr isn’t ready for NFL play, the Raiders could be in trouble — big trouble. And let’s be frank: even if Schaub or Carr proves just OK as a starter, the Raiders’ quarterback play will lag behind that of division rivals Denver and San Diego — and perhaps Kansas City as well.

The Raiders’ secondary also looks a little shaky. The club lacks a real standout cornerback. The progress of second-year pro D.J. Hayden bears watching. If he can stay on the field and pick up his play, he’ll give Oakland someone to build around now and in the future.

Finally, we must mention the lingering concern about the age of some of the Raiders’ key contributors, as well as the wear-and-tear some of Oakland’s core players have endured. For instance, Woodley — whom the Raiders are counting upon at defensive end — has missed a combined 14 games in the last three seasons. Moreover, McFadden’s durability woes are no secret, and Jones-Drew has more than 2,000 career touches to his credit.

Changes.

The Raiders have replaced their leading passer (Terrelle Pryor), rusher (Rashad Jennings) and left tackle (Jared Veldheer). Penn, an above-average left tackle at his best with Tampa Bay, will take over for Veldheer, who signed with Arizona.

Penn’s addition is just one of several changes along the offensive line, which could have new starters at 4-of-5 spots. Ex-Jet Austin Howard could get the call at right guard, with rookie Gabe Jackson among the options at left guard. Ex-Giant Kevin Boothe could also be in the mix at guard. Second-year pro Menelik Watson, a 2013 second-round pick, looks to have a shot at right tackle.

The Raiders’ additions of Woodley, Tuck and Mack were the headline-grabbing moves on defense, but the signings of ex-49ers cornerbacks Rogers and Tarell Brown are also notable. Rogers and Brown will help replace departed starting corners Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter, who left in free agency.

Camp battles.

Carr should push Schaub, who tossed 14 picks in 10 games in 2013. The Raiders have to hope competition makes both better for the experience. If Schaub looks a little shaky and Carr is a quick study, the Raiders — a team built for today, not tomorrow — are going to have an interesting decision to make.

The Raiders could also have some competition at left guard, right tackle and cornerback.

Prospects.

The Raiders have collected some skilled, proud players who all have something to prove. If Schaub, Jones-Drew, Tuck and Co. all find their best form, the Raiders could be significantly improved over a season ago — certainly better than the NFL’s 32nd-best club. But to make a run, the Raiders are going to need to get more than their share of breaks, especially in the turnover and health departments. Schaub must take care of the ball, and the starters need to stay in the lineup.

The Raiders must make the most of a favorable early schedule. Four of Oakland’s first six games are home, and the Raiders face just two 2013 playoff teams (New England, San Diego) in their first seven games.

Oakland just cannot afford a slow start. In their final nine games, the Raiders face the Seahawks, 49ers, Chargers and Rams once and the Broncos and Chiefs twice. If the Raiders can’t get into gear right out of the gate, the season could snowball on them, which could prove problematic for head coach Dennis Allen and G.M. Reggie McKenzie.

Here’s the good news: the Raiders have a puncher’s chance in the AFC, the weaker of the two conferences. Here’s the bad news: given their schedule, age and division, the Raiders may be the most vulnerable club in their conference. Their ceiling just doesn’t seem that high, even after they spent all that money in the offseason.

Kind of a surprise that the Raiders are ranked 32 and not the Jaguars. Sure they acquired some aging veterans but their run game and defensive front seven will be better than last year. The one thing that could expose them is the fact that they play I believe one of the most difficult schedules this year.

Lazy projection. Oakland will be a win some lose some team, not great but some weeks will beat a team they are not supposed to. To rank them last looks only at their recent track record and nothing else.
7-9 or 8-8 looks about right. They will beat KC twice.

tennesseeoilers says:Jul 7, 2014 10:03 AM

I hate the Raiders, and even I have to ask: Given all the terrible teams in the NFL, how in the world do you pick them as the bottom of the barrel?

What a joke of a ranking, they weren’t the worst team in the NFL at all last year and you’d have to be blind to say the Raiders didn’t get better at every position on the field. Raiders had second half leads against Indy, Washington, Kansas City, NY Giants, Tennessee, and Dallas that they blew – they really weren’t that far off from 7 or 8 wins last year and improved their roster top to bottom.

“Here’s the good news: the Raiders have a puncher’s chance in the AFC, the weaker of the two conferences.”

————————-

The balance of power shifted toward the NFC from 2007 to today, with the Steelers and Ravens stealing 2 Super Bowls against teams that were probably better then them, but the rest going to NFC teams.

Last year though, the conferences were pretty even if you go look at the numbers. The good teams in the AFC beat up on the NFC divisions and the good NFC teams beat up on the AFC divisions.

You can argue that the Seahawks and possibly the 49ers were at the top, making the 2 best teams in the NFC, but beyond that you could argue that the Denver, Indy, NE and KC were the next best 4 teams, with maybe Carolina in the mix.

The NFC East really took a step back last year and the NFC South did too with the Exception of Carolina. The NFC North, especially with Rodgers hurt much of the season, was not very good at all (Chicago’s receivers are special, but their QB isn’t). So that leaves the NFC West, which has the 2 best teams in the league and 2 teams that are getting better fast.

I think I would argue that the 2 conferences are pretty equal right not with the exception of the 2 top teams.

Browns will be the worst 2-14 best case scenario. They will give 0-16 a serious run for its money. No WR, defenses will put 7-8 in the box and say try and beat us with your horrible WRs.

Great effort passing on Sammy Watkins Farmer. You and rock head Pettine have no idea what you are doing.

Watched replay of the Towson v North Dakota St game this past weekend. Nice draft pick of West too. I swear North Dakota state didn’t have a guy on their defense over 240 lbs and dude still couldn’t get 100 yards. The Factory of Sadness is fully stocked for 2014

PFT is garbage. I will now seek NFL updates on other sites. To say the Raiders are at 32 is proof this is a hater site. The could yes could have won 3 to 4 more games last year with a much less talented roster. Not saying the Raiders are going to the SB but they have improved their roster a ton. Bye bye PFT you dumba$$es

I thought the Raiders had an excellent draft. They should be in much better shape in a couple of years. They need to draft some OL, and eventually restock their offensive skillset. They have some nice defensive players.

However, of those seven players, the 29-year-old Jones-Drew is the youngest — and he gained a mere 3.4 yards per carry a season ago. Schaub, Tuck, Penn, Rogers and Smith are all 30 or older, and Woodley turns 30 in November.
===============================

I guess it fits the diatribe that you left Howard out of this statement? lol

I’m not an Oakland fan, but I LOVED their draft approach of taking an elite talent Khalil Mack with the first, then going for QB with Derek Carr (a first-round talent who fell because of his brother’s flame out).

The Browns took the opposite approach of the Raiders trading down from an elite talent (Watkins) to take a guy who was questionably in the top two at his position (Gilbert), then the ultimate head scratcher of selecting a QB like Manziel (over a better CB like Dennard or WR help for Watkins like Benjamin or Lee, or a much more polished QB like Carr).

Lamar Woodley has a much better chance of winning a SB ring in Oakland than Pittsburgh.
–
Too bad he already won a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh in the 2008 season and lost another in Pittsburgh in the 2010 season.

If 3 time Superbowl winner Tony Sparano stitches together this massive garbage truck mid 90’s frankenstein offensive line, we will terrorize the village. AFC defences are built for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady with light in the trunk linebackers, press at the line corners and DE’s that never saw a guard pull. We’ll play offense like the princeton basketball team.

The schedule is a big deal, I give you that, but 32? LMAO. The Texans won 2 games last year (and Schaub won those) and now they don’t even have a QB and they project the Raiders as no. 32…How funny. I guess we will just take our preseason medicine like big boys and just try to prove some people wrong when the season starts.

Don’t fret Nation, they do this every year. I think they would label us the #32 team even if we came off an 8-8 year. The truth is, the media is biased, they root for the Raiders to suck. A bright side to the Raiders this coming season is that last season they were reasonably talented with 65million dollars in salary cap being paid to players that were not on the field. 50million of that has been spent to bring in veteran leadership to the team and they’re also coming off a solid draft. I’m by no means saying they will be a Super Bowl contender, but I think that there are teams that have not progressed as much as the Raider have this off-season that will line the bottom.

jayniner says:Jul 7, 2014 12:07 PM

The Jags aren’t 32? Really?

Silver and Black attack says:Jul 7, 2014 12:08 PM

“What a joke of a ranking, they weren’t the worst team in the NFL at all last year and you’d have to be blind to say the Raiders didn’t get better at every position on the field. Raiders had second half leads against Indy, Washington, Kansas City, NY Giants, Tennessee, and Dallas that they blew – they really weren’t that far off from 7 or 8 wins last year and improved their roster top to bottom.”

I was going to write a big piece of why you are wrong. Then I realized its your opinion. Like all projections, it doesn’t mean much. Only see I told you so when you are close and dusted under the rug when you are way off.

The problem with the raiders current roster is that it is filled with a lot of people who are injury prone, and/or coming off horrible years.

They have a ton of them. They signed/re-signed a bunch of them.

In the NFL, most teams are trying to sign under 30 guys who can still grow. The Raiders signed a bunch of over 30 on the decline whom they hope will have rebound years. The problem is, while maybe 1 or 2 could, they need them all to, and that simply isn’t going to happen.

McKenzie overpaid like a drunken sailor for crap, and it’s going to cost him his job. Just remember the guard they signed as a tackle whom they then voided, subsequently signed a contract for a bit more then half of what the Raiders gave him.

They like to think they signed ~11 starters…but they didn’t. They signed 11 guys who will most likely start on THEIR team, but most of these guys wouldn’t start elsewhere. Many bad teams have backups as starters, and that’s why they are bad.

Could Schaub rebound? It’s possible. Kurt Warner went through some horrible stretches with the Rams, and later rebounded. But no one has ever compared Schaub to Warner and kept a straight face.

Plus it’s rare. Even if 1/10 QB’s or something like that can turn it around, most indeed do not.

I do see this team as a big experiment, and it will be very interesting to see how it plays out. But I suspect, not very well.

oakfan23 says:Jul 7, 2014 12:19 PM

On the “flip” side, this year is really a win-win for raider fans, we lose, we get a new GM and coaching staff, we win, Great!

No one deserves a winner less than Raider fans. If you are one of them and you are reading this, take note: acting tough and dressing like its Halloween does not affect your team’s performance, as evidenced by the last decade. One last thing, I will take some fries with that.

Should be the bills. What a dumpster that franchise is. At least the Raiders made great signings.

You mean the team that had 4 defensive players in the Top Rated 100. How many Raiders were there? You mean the team with Spiller/Jackson/ Brown in the backfield. Great signings? You mean the AARP scrap heap they acquired? Bills have legitimate young talent. Try changing your sig to “fakenflnovice”.

swortybounce says:Jul 7, 2014 1:02 PM

Nope, only two teams could earn this tag.

Texans or Jags. Are you really telling me Clowney and Bortles propel their teams out of the bottom right away?

And you know what being ranked 32 in a preseason poll means right………….absolutely nothing.

dare5259 says:Jul 7, 2014 1:23 PM

Where’d the voting buttons go?

I picked this post to ask because, well, it’s about the Raiders, so who the hell cares about being off topic?

Voting buttons please? I don’t care about my up or down votes, but other people provide a fairly good filter. Having to read all the comments to find the good ones is horribly boring.

oakfan23 says:Jul 7, 2014 1:24 PM

For everyone who is killing Oakland for signing these over 30 guys, you do realize they all signed no-risk contracts right? they can get out of almost all of them if the players don’t pan out this year. Its a stupid argument, they’re not tied to any of those guys

You know what the Raiders have to prove they aren’t a bad team so I won’t argue with the ranking. But I disagree with it. I see the Raiders being between 17-20. I see an 8-8 or 7-9 record. And a postseason trip in 2015.

typical PFT any other team would have singed all those players they would have the greatest off season in the history of pro sports but since its the raiders the moves are suspect or shaky or bad. I hope PFT at the end of the season will apologies to the #RAIDERNATION

oakfan23 says:
Jul 7, 2014 1:24 PM
For everyone who is killing Oakland for signing these over 30 guys, you do realize they all signed no-risk contracts right? they can get out of almost all of them if the players don’t pan out this year. Its a stupid argument, they’re not tied to any of those guys

____________________________________

The risk is that if they don’t pan out this year then it’s yet another lost season in Oakland. Regardless of how they perform this year, The Raiders will have to start looking for their replacements very soon. These signings reek of desperation.

crise40g says:Jul 7, 2014 2:42 PM

32? This ain’t yo’daddy’s Raiders. Davis, RIP, is gone and big Reg is running it the right way now. Not saying Championship but there will be a marked improvement.

I kind of agree with this ranking. Most of the time the team that ends up 32nd is the team with the most injuries. You cant look at the Raiders and say that If one of their older players got hurt that it wouldn’t effect their record.

Oakland faces playoff teams from 2013 on 9 of its 16 games (their divisional rivals 6x, Patriots, Seahawks and 49ers).

4-12 as usual is a far more realistic prediction, they need at least 2 more years to be playoff contenders, supposing that Carr is really that good (I liked the pick and the fact thet he’ll be under development, but he is too fresh and struggles under pressure).

Mike Wilkening says:Jul 7, 2014 3:24 PM

Thanks for weighing in thus far.

As noted in the preview, the Raiders’ early-season schedule works in their favor, and their offseason moves improved the roster. This is a deeper team than a season ago. I can understand why there’s sentiment that No. 32 is too low.

As always, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

— MW

Silver and Black attack says:Jul 7, 2014 3:30 PM

My poor Raiders..it could be worse, we could be Chiefs or Chargers fans. The QB’s that have refused to go to San Diego or been let go by San Diego have gone on to win super bowls while the Dolts just sit and hope Philip Rivers will bring them one. (which will never, ever happen. that ship has sailed charger fans)…and the Chiefs? well need I say more? Just look at last years epic meltdown in the playoffs against the Colts. That sums up their last 30 years. I think the last time they won a playoff game the great Ronald Reagan was still in office.

Oakland faces playoff teams from 2013 on 9 of its 16 games (their divisional rivals 6x, Patriots, Seahawks and 49ers).

4-12 as usual is a far more realistic prediction, they need at least 2 more years to be playoff contenders, supposing that Carr is really that good (I liked the pick and the fact thet he’ll be under development, but he is too fresh and struggles under pressure).
————————————————
I know how to read a schedule…guess what, injuries and upsets happen in the NFL.

I’m banking my statement on the fact that Matt Schaub is not as bad as he was last year, sometimes a fresh start is good, and I like the Carr pick but see no need to rush him on the field this year.

Pair this roster with almost any another franchise and the ranking would be 15-20 guaranteed. We’d be hearing all about the “strong veteran leadership” and how the GM has assembled a “locker room full of hungry, proven winners with a chip on their shoulder”

That loser from Pitsburgh that posted the Packers won’t make the playoffs needs medication . IF the Raiders can stay healthly there is no reason they can’t go at least 8-8 & maybe more if Seabass can convert last second long distance game winning FG’s . Florio you’re so smart tell me why this Raiders roster isn’t as good as the NY Giants teams that won the SB vs NE ? IT IS !

My poor Raiders..it could be worse, we could be Chiefs or Chargers fans. The QB’s that have refused to go to San Diego or been let go by San Diego have gone on to win super bowls while the Dolts just sit and hope Philip Rivers will bring them one. (which will never, ever happen. that ship has sailed charger fans)…and the Chiefs? well need I say more? Just look at last years epic meltdown in the playoffs against the Colts. That sums up their last 30 years. I think the last time they won a playoff game the great Ronald Reagan was still in office.
——————————-
Guess where both the Chargers and Chiefs differ with the Raiders: they both went to the playoffs last year. When was the last time that happened to the Raiders? It was early in Bush’s first term, Vladimir Putin was considered an ally, Obama was a state senator, Saddam Hussein was in power, and Limp Bizkit ruled the airwaves. Have you been paying attention to what’s happened since? Only the most dismal decade any team has ever had in NFL history. But the swagger of Raider fans really makes up for it. I hope you all realize that the fans of the 31 other teams are laughing at you and have been for some time.

When you need hits on your sight post about the Raiders. Most passionate, die-hard fans in sports. And unlike most franchises, the fans will galvanize when the team is trashed and fight back. One nation – Raider Nation.

What an idiot! No wonder nobody takes this guy serious! Derek Carr is deep in the play book while Johnny football is deep in a line of coke on a strippers a$$! Time to surprise these so called experts!

Ah. Yes. Same old raiders.
With all the over the hill free agents they’ve signed and had to overpay for, with all the up and coming young talent they’ve supposedly picked up, they still can’t overtake the Browns or Jags or Vikings for the title of, “Worst Team in the League.”
There really should be a demotion process, such as in the English Premier League where the bottom feeders are moved down into the minor leagues.

its all good we took two steps backwards in order to take three steps forward……this is the first step forward….and as far as “all that money spent in the off season” comment…we are still about 40 million under cap next year

4.9- Average number of wins over the previous decade. Why should we expect much more from a consistently inept franchise? It’s nice to see they have a commitment to…the elderly. Great plan for building a winning team: sign a bunch of guys who are past their prime. 6 wins if things go right for them.

Are the Raiders really this bad? Let’s see…they improved their passing game, their running game, defense, and they also added James Jones. They have a 2x Pro Bowl QB, a running back who was one of the NFL’s best, and a load of defensive players that had successful careers. The Raiders will probably be last in their division. But in the entire NFL? No. That’s probably Cleveland.

iwill have to see the next 5 or so rankings before i consider the rankings So far Raiders then Dolphins…I can say that as it comes they will definetly not end up 1 and 2 at the bottom when the season end this year. I think they are definite worse teams. But lets see the next 3

irish852014 says:Jul 8, 2014 12:06 PM

Mike:

So 4 out of their first 6 games are at home? You do realize that the Miami game in week 4 is in London right? Hardly home field advantage.

I used to get pissed about this kind of stuff (getting ranked 32) but not anymore. I know we have a team who will see this and use it for motivation. There’s a different culture in Oakland now thanks to McKenzie. Just Win, Baby!

rdr4lif says:Jul 9, 2014 2:36 PM

We don’t deserve anything until we start winning. This HC needs to get 7 wins out of this team. I don’t wanna hear about the schedule. This is the downfall of our country we continue to “lower standards”.

I believe the Raiders are on the right track but its definitely “show me time” in the win column for DA….

Get to respectability then get in the tourney. Getting in the tourney is all that really matters.

C’monnnnn man!
I’d be willing to bet you or any of the haters spouting off on in this forum anything, that the Raiders will NOT be the 32nd team in the league. Put your money where your mouth is. Any takers??
?
?
?
Thats what I thought.